Steve Van Remortel column: Having a process to make decisions is the best decision

"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing." - Theodore Roosevelt.

It's a hard, cold fact of life: We must decide to decide. Whether it's in our personal or professional life, decision-making is probably the most difficult, yet one of the most important aspects of living a fulfilling life.

How many times have you had a child, a spouse, or a colleague at work come to you, struggling with a tough decision?

How often do you wake up at 4 a.m., trying to make a choice between several options? How do you help yourself or others with making decisions at times like this?

Over the years, I have developed what for me has become a proven process for effective decision-making. Here is what I do when it comes to making big decisions with my clients, in my own businesses or in my personal life:

? First, take some time to define the decision that has to be made and what are the options to that decision.

Take some time to reflect on your options. If you are so inclined, this is also the step where you can pray or meditate on the decision.

? Second, understand the financial ramifications of the decision.

Before you can consider the emotional and strategic aspects of the decision, you need to understand the finances behind it. I am not suggesting that the financial side of a decision is most important but I do believe we have an obligation to ourselves and those close to us to understand the numbers when making decisions.

? Next, consider your gut feeling and the emotional aspects of the decision when coming to a proposed decision.

? Ask yourself, "Is the proposed decision on-strategy or off-strategy for my business or for my life?"

Having a plan for your business and/or life provides clarity, which leads to a more informed decision, which increases the chance that you make the right one.

? Some of the larger decisions I face I run past my closest advisers in my life to make sure I am not missing anything.

? Now you must execute the decision.

? For larger and more financial decisions I monitor measurements to determine the accuracy of the decision and increase my learnings for future decisions.

I want to stress that this is the process that works for me.

You must find the decision-making process that works best for you.

Once you do, document the process and continue to refine it as you make decisions. Eventually you will memorize it and can use is consistently across your week as the process can sometimes be completed in minutes.

There are numerous benefits in having a decision-making process.

You will make more informed and thoughtful decisions and increase your clarity, performance and life satisfaction. Becoming more thoughtful and deliberate in your decision-making allows you to look back and learn from previous decisions. You will become more decisive and learn to take action.

You will make decisions on a timely basis rather than procrastinating and leaving important decisions "hanging out there."

Decision making is a recognizable quality in successful people and one that we all should pursue.

Can you make a decision to do that?

Remember, those who plan - profit!

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Steve Van Remortel column: Having a process to make decisions is the best decision

It's a hard, cold fact of life: We must decide to decide. Whether it's in our personal or professional life, decision-making is probably the most difficult, yet one of the most important aspects of

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